It doesn't matter if it is plastic model animals or model trains. The 1:32 scale means that if the real animal is 32 inches, or millimeters long, the model will be 1 inch or millimeter long. If the real train is 32 feet long, then the model will be 1 foot long.
Millimetres have been around since the 1790s, we just didn't used them. The UK was formed in 1707. You've been around a long time, must be all those wobbly pops that keep you so fit.
I still have to convert to inches before I can get an idea in my head of how big something is. I just remember 2.5 cm equals one inch, 15 cm equal six inches etc etc
Just don't ask about weight - I haven't got a clue!
I have the same problem with temperature, Mick. I have to convert from Centigrade to Fahrenheit before I have the faintest idea of how hot or cold something is. I also regularly convert currency to £.s.d to get an idea of the cost.
I convert kilometres into miles by multiplying by 6 and knocking off the last digit. For example, if it's 15k to someplace, multiply by 6 you get 90, knock off the last digit and you get 9 miles.
For some weird reason, I'm at home with the Celsius temperatures: it you tell me the temp in Fahrenheit I'm sort of lost...Now figure that one out: I can't.
I enjoy going to deli counters and asking for a quarter of ...
I am frequently asked, "What's a quarter?"
When I reply, "4 ounces", they will come back with,"we don't do ounces here just grams".
If it helps at all a 16 hand horse is 64 inches at the withers (base of neck) so a model of that would be 2 inches high at the withers, a camel is a bit taller but probably not much longer.